Music & Voice Lessons

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Music & Voice Lessons

Develop creative expression through music and song! We believe the arts provide personal growth and development for all ages and abilities. our caring and qualified instructors provide individualized attention in a 30-minute private lesson. voice, piano, guitar, and string instrument lessons are available. Students will have the opportunity to participate in our spring recital, held annually in April.

All lessons are taught by professional instructors with prior teaching experience; most of our teachers also perform locally and regionally, either as solo artists or as members of ensembles.

Music lessons are offered in two calendar sessions throughout the year. New students may begin as schedule allows. Times vary-call for open times.

Contact Tammy Addleman, Arts & Humanities Director at 608-519-5513.

45-Minute Lessons - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
45-minute lessons
Family Member Fee: $90/month
Youth Member Fee: $103.50/month

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 90.00$ 103.50-

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Flute - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Guitar - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

 

Meet our instructors:

Doug Mahlum is a long-time local entertainer, teaches guitar at the Houser YMCA and Holmen Lutheran Church locations. He has spent many years soloing around the Coulee Region, including performances with Viterbo’s Platinum Edition. For over 33 years, Doug was the lead singer, and trumpet, flugelhorn and rhythm guitar performer with Double-Take, a local variety band. Doug was a member of the La Crosse Coulee Chordsmen Barbershop chorus and the lead singer of New Image, a barbershop, jazz, and bebop quartet, for over 20 years. He continues to be a member and soloist with the Coulee Region Gospel choir since joining in 1995. Most recently, he and his three young adult kids have started to entertain in the area as a group called “Family Matters.” Doug teaches guitar and ukulele at the YMCA.

Matt Fisher graduated from UW-La Crosse with two majors, one in English and one in French. He’s been playing guitar for nine years, but has been studying music on various different instruments for thirteen years. Matt teaches guitar and ukulele at the YMCA.

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Piano - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

Meet our instructors:

Carol Rhodes, pianist, accompanist, and teacher, holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1995, she received her Doctorate in Collaborative Piano from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. She holds extensive experience in collegiate-level education, and has taught at Pima Community College (AZ), Sweet Briar College (VA), Pensacola Junior College (FL), and locally at University Wisconsin- La Crosse and Viterbo University. For 12 years, Carol specialized in Suzuki piano instruction at the Viterbo University Preparatory School of Arts. Carol has a strong interest in performing contemporary music, as well as chamber music of all periods of music. She performs frequently for students and faculty at the University of Arizona and Winona State University. Her love of performance transfers to her joy in teaching and sharing the importance of music in the lives of individuals of all ages and abilities. Carol teaches piano at the YMCA.
Marilyn Lee holds a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and an Associate degree in Theological Studies from Biblical Life College & Seminary in Marshfield, Missouri. Formerly, she has taught high school music and directed children’s and community choirs. Marilyn has been teaching piano and voice for over thirty years to students of all ages and is a current member of Wisconsin Music Teachers Association. She frequently performs as a soloist for the UW-La Crosse Choral Union and is the current director for River’s Harvest Church choir. In addition to traditional piano and voice lessons, Marilyn teaches contemporary improvisation for worship leaders and praise band keyboardists. Instruction is designed to meet the student’s personal goals. Marilyn joined the YMCA music staff in January of 2015 and teaches piano and voice.

Siyu Gao was born in Beijing, China and started to play the piano at a very young age. She participated in numerous school musical performances from elementary school through high school. After receiving degrees in piano performance and music education and studying under Dr. Zhou Guangren for ten years, she served as a piano teaching assistant for three years at China’s leading music school, the Central Conservatory of Music. Siyu has been teaching private lessons in La Crosse since 2014 and is a passionate and caring piano teacher. She welcomes students of all ages, music interests and abilities and especially enjoys teaching young beginners and helping them find their love for music. She believes each student is an individual with a unique learning style and strives to tailor her instruction to fit the student.

Elizabeth Rogers has studied piano since the age of four, beginning her study with Sr. Phyllis Chang. Her early education included many piano recitals and competitions, as well as performances with the Greater Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble, most notably the European tour. In 1999, she graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, with a Bachelors of Music in Piano Pedagogy, studying under Mrs. Linda Ford and many other very, strong, classical musical mentors. Elizabeth has been teaching for 21 years and enjoys all ages and skill levels. She taught at the Belmont Academy of Music, a music preparatory school for children. There, she discovered a passion for teaching children with learning disabilities and special needs, a passion that continues to flourish in her current teaching. In addition to piano, she has a love for percussion and has studied early childhood music education. Elizabeth teaches piano at the YMCA.

Katie Buika has studied piano technique, artistry, and theory for twelve years. She is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with Broadfield Social Studies and History Education majors and French and Art minors. She focuses on student-centered learning to help her students pursue their learning through their own interests. Katie is from Hartland, WI and has always loved music and art. In her free time, she enjoys being outside fishing and going for hikes.

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/23/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Ukulele - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

Meet our Instructors:

Doug Mahlum is a long-time local entertainer, teaches beginner guitar at the YMCA-North branch. He has spent many years soloing around the Coulee Region, including performances with Viterbo’s Platinum Edition. For over 33 years, Doug was the lead singer, and trumpet, flugelhorn and rhythm guitar performer with Double-Take, a local variety band. Doug was a member of the La Crosse Coulee Chordsmen Barbershop chorus and the lead singer of New Image, a barbershop, jazz, and bebop quartet, for over 20 years. He continues to be a member and soloist with the Coulee Region Gospel choir since joining in 1995. Most recently, he and his three young adult kids have started to entertain in the area as a group called “Family Matters.” Doug teaches guitar and ukulele at the YMCA.

 

Matt Fisher Is a graduating student of UW-La Crosse with two majors, one in English and one in French. He’s been playing guitar for nine years, but has been studying music on various different instruments for thirteen years.

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Violin - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

Shary Birdsong started playing the viola at the age of 10. Receiving a bachelor’s degree in music education from UW-La Crosse and a music education master’s degree from the University of Kentucky-Lexington, Shary now performs in area regional orchestras, ensembles and a string quartet. She has taught orchestra and private string lessons in South Milwaukee, Louisville, Winona and La Crosse. She teaches all ages from four years old to adults.

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 4/30/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register  

Voice - School Year

All Locations
9/15/19 - 6/14/20
VIEW
Lessons run September 3, 2019-May 17, 2020
(No lessons Nov 27-Dec 1 and Dec 16-Jan 4)
Days and times vary
Family Member Fee: $60/month
Youth Member Fee: $69/month

Meet our Instructors:

 

Marilyn Lee holds a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and an Associate degree in Theological Studies from Biblical Life College & Seminary in Marshfield, Missouri. Formerly, she has taught high school music and directed children’s and community choirs. Marilyn has been teaching piano and voice for over thirty years to students of all ages and is a current member of Wisconsin Music Teachers Association. She frequently performs as a soloist for the UW-La Crosse Choral Union and is the current director for River’s Harvest Church choir. In addition to traditional piano and voice lessons, Marilyn teaches contemporary improvisation for worship leaders and praise band keyboardists. Instruction is designed to meet the student’s personal goals. Marilyn joined the YMCA music staff in January of 2015 and teaches piano and voice.

Registration Information  

Open Close Family MemberYouth MemberNon Member
7/24/19 6/14/20 Online / Front Desk $ 60.00$ 69.00$ 92.00

Available Sessions

Start Date End Date Spots
Available
9/15/19 10/14/19 Yes Register  
10/15/19 11/14/19 Yes Register  
11/15/19 12/14/19 Yes Register  
12/15/19 1/14/20 Yes Register  
1/15/20 2/14/20 Yes Register  
2/15/20 3/14/20 Yes Register  
3/15/20 4/14/20 Yes Register  
4/15/20 5/14/20 Yes Register  
5/15/20 6/14/20 Yes Register